Guided course
A hands-on day to learn to identify birds by silhouette, song and behaviour, with a guide who has worked as a professional ornithologist.
Course summary
Ornithology course: learn to identify the birds of the Pyrenees
A practical one-day introduction to bird identification: silhouette, colour, song and behaviour. Instead of a classroom lecture, you head out into the field from the start to practise with binoculars and a field guide, with the same ornithologist's eye that Javier brings to his own birdwatching outings. Designed for complete beginners, with no previous experience or personal equipment needed.
Before you sign up
Who will be with you on this course
Javier has worked as an ornithologist, and birdwatching is one of his specialities: he knows the songs, the behaviour and the real spots to find each species across the Val d'Aran, Upper Ribagorça and Pallars Sobirà.
He designs the course as a real day of practice, not a textbook lecture: identifying a species by its silhouette or song is learned in the field, with time and repetition, not by memorising plates.
Course highlights
With a real ornithologist, not just a mountain guide
Javier has worked as a professional ornithologist: he teaches with the same technical rigour he applies in his own field outings, not a generic nature talk.
Hands-on from the very first minute
You're out in the field from the start: identifying species and using binoculars is learned by really watching, not in a classroom.
The foundation for birdwatching and the hide
What you learn here feeds straight into the Birdwatching in the Pyrenees outing and the Portable Hide sessions: identify first, then wait knowing what you're looking for.
Course content
Before you come
What to bring. You can bring your own binoculars and field guide if you have them; if not, the guide provides binoculars to practise with during the course.
Prerequisites. None. It's a course designed for starting from scratch: no previous experience or personal equipment needed.
Javier Gil, with professional training and experience in ornithology, for the whole day.
Guide trained in ornithologyIf you don't have your own.
Binoculars to practise withTo the meeting point.
TransportYour own binoculars and field guide, if you prefer to use them.
Personal equipmentUnless agreed otherwise when booking.
FoodFrequently asked questions
No, it's a beginners' course designed for starting from scratch.
It isn't compulsory: the guide provides a pair to practise with, though you can bring your own if you prefer.
One full day, with no overnight stay.
From €70 per person in a small group, with practice binoculars included. It's an indicative price: we confirm it when you book, depending on group size.
We start with a short introduction (binoculars, silhouette, song and behaviour) and move into the field quickly: most of the day is hands-on practice, identifying real species with the guide, with a break for lunch. Exact times are agreed when you book, depending on the season and bird activity.
Yes, it's the direct foundation: what you learn here is put to use on the Birdwatching in the Pyrenees outing and in the Portable Hide sessions.
Javier Gil, a mountain guide with professional training and experience in ornithology.
Reviews
Rut V2 weeks ago
Red deer rut
A wonderful experience in a luxury setting. We got in touch with Javi after finding him online and it was a great decision. He's a young guy, passionate about his work and about nature, and it shows. He explained so many things about the rut and the surroundings, and brought samples to show us how animals are tracked, always with respect and without disturbing their habitat. He also took loads of souvenir photos, both of us and of the animals, which we really appreciated. I loved the equipment he uses: he has a screen that attaches to the camera, so we could all enjoy the views without needing telescopes. Thank you so much, Javi, for the experience. You're a truly lovely person.
M. Villar (Proska)2 weeks ago
Red deer rut
Without a doubt an unforgettable experience. Several companies offer the rut, but not like this one: his knowledge of the subject, together with the technology he uses, guarantees a complete outing and lets you enjoy the activity to the fullest. 100% recommended
Loisian2 weeks ago
Red deer rut
We can only thank Javi for our outing: the day before the weather was awful and he advised us to postpone it, so we wouldn't climb up and not see the rut. The next day was wonderful, the views beautiful, and thanks to his experience and his technology we could see everything as if we were at the cinema. If we come back, we'll do it again. 100% recommended
Juanma Ferrer Navarro4 weeks ago
Red deer rut
A really good person who knows the Val d'Aran very well. We had a great morning listening to and watching the rut with Javier, who will be your guide. On top of that, you learn a lot about the local flora and fauna of Aran.
José Luis Durán12 months ago
Red deer rut
With Ecotour we did two organised rut outings last September. Although in the morning we didn't manage to see any deer (because, unfortunately, the wild boar hunt was on), the experience, both the trekking + observation outing and the afternoon observation, was great. Javier is a great professional who radiates friendliness and passion for his work, and he passes that on in everything he explains. I think we couldn't have found a better guide. A completely recommended experience with him. To repeat another year!
Joan Palomer12 months ago
Red deer rut
We went to see the rut with two little girls, and with Javi it was great fun and he was very attentive. For our next outing in the area, we'll definitely hire him.
Montse Coca1 year ago
Red deer rut
A great afternoon: Javi took us to an area where we could see and hear the rut, treated us to a small snack of local produce and told us about the life of the deer, the differences between antlers… You can tell he's passionate about his work. Thanks to the camera and lens he uses we could see them really well and watch their behaviour during the mating season. A great experience, highly recommended.
Antonio disa1 year ago
Red deer rut
We did an outing to look for deer and listen to the rut. Javi is a very good guide, a person with a huge knowledge of the mountains and a great photography enthusiast. An experience to repeat.
PAU RODRIGO9 months ago
Snowshoeing
Excellent experience with Javi on a snowshoe route. Vast knowledge about everything to do with the mountains. Going with him guarantees you'll enjoy your adventure 200% and come back with a smile. He works really hard. The best guide I've ever met. See you soon, Javi. Take care 👋👋👋
Jose Manuel Luque Rodriguez11 months ago
Snowshoeing
More than a guide, a friend!! His level of knowledge about the mountains, snow, animals and everything related to the mountains is exceptional. My experience with him on snowshoes: 15 out of 10!! A professional and one of those people who only give... Personally, I didn't meet a guide, I made a friend. Professionally... one of a kind... I'd always recommend him, and I already do. A hug, Javi.
Carlos N1 year ago
Snowshoeing
We did a snowshoe route and the experience was heartwarming. Javi as a guide doesn't just pass on his love of the mountains, he teaches you to love and understand them; on top of that he's one of the group, he's your friend and he cares about every single person in it.
Carlos Buil3 years ago
High mountain
As always, it's an unforgettable experience to do high mountain climbing safely with Javier. Climbing two 3,000-metre peaks and enjoying the scenery in an educational and passionate way. Looking forward to doing it again 💪💪💪
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